NKR Ministry of Foreign Affairs

With the Declaration of Independence, the newly established Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR) affirmed its privilege to conduct an independent foreign policy.

During the ongoing Azerbaijani aggression against Nagorno Karabakh in the summer of 1992, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE, now OSCE) sponsored its first peace negotiations among the conflicting parties (Nagorno Karabakh, Azerbaijan and Armenia). Simultaneously, the Russian Federation continued with its mediation effort. There was clearly a need for a government body in NKR that would represent official policies and defend the Republic's interests in the international arena.

Immediate tasks included participation in peace negotiations, managing military-political issues, establishing, maintaining and enhancing relations with neighboring countries, building relations with major regional and world powers and representing the republic in international fora. Respecting norms of international relations and committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict with Azerbaijan, Nagorno Karabakh's leadership recognized the importance of consolidating these efforts under a separate agency.

The NKR Foreign Ministry was established on July 23, 1993 following Robert Kocharian's decree, as Chairman of the NKR Defense Committee. Arkady Ghoukasian, an active participant in the Karabakh national liberation movement and Policy Adviser to the Defense Committee Chairman, was appointed the first Foreign Minister.

During the past ten years, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has become a critical component of our independent statehood, implementing NKR foreign policy and helping to strengthen the country's democratic processes.

NKR has effectively established permanent representations in the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries - the United States, Russia, France, as well as in Germany, Armenia, Australia and Lebanon (for Middle East countries).

Naira Melkumian served as NKR Foreign Minister from 1997 to 2002. Following the 2002 presidential elections, Ashot Ghoulyan was appointed Foreign Minister in the new cabinet of President Arkady Ghoukasian. In 2004, Arman Melikian replaced Ashot Ghoulyan. In December 2005, Georgi Petrosian became the new Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh until 2011. Untill 2012, Vasiliy Atajanyan served as Acting Foreign Minister. In 2012, following the establishment of new cabinet after the same year’s presidential elections, Mr. Karen Mirzoyan was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Artsakh.